Skip to main content

Jestine's Kitchen, Charleston

 Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina. In the past decade or so, Charleston has emerged as a food/foodie travel destination.  On an extended weekend visit to Charleston, we enjoyed superb food every single meal.  Most everything is fried and a little "heavier" than we're used to, as you'd expect in the south, but we ate well and I'm sure we got onto our planes as we departed somewhat heavier than when we arrived.

 

11 Jestine's

Decor at Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.

 

One of the more memorable meals we enjoyed in Charleston was at Jestine's Kitchen, named in honor of Jestine Matthews (a great southern cook).  This restaurant was recommended by the hosts of our B&B accommodation, and also is a recommended by the best online source of great "American food," roadfood.com.  Jestine's doesn't take reservations, so it's first come, first serve (you're never sure what the wait will be).  I'm told the lines can be quite long during peak periods, but fortunately a table was available when we arrived so we got right in.  The restaurant isn't large and it seemed that most people dining there were locals — always a good sign.

 

Display at Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.

 

You can see Jestine's menu here.  Very reasonably priced items and a broad selection of traditional Southern food.  Every table gets a serving of "pickles" as a starter, which were great.  We ordered some steamed shrimp as an appetizer, which we shared at our table.  Everyone enjoyed these — fresh and sweet.

 

Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina. Pickles served at every table.

 

Our group ordered a bunch of different entrees, including;

 

Fried Shrimp and Fried Okra (my choice -- I just love fried okra!)

 Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina. Fried Okra and shrimp

 

Blackened chicken breast with red rice and okra gumbo (my son's dish -- he loved it!)

 Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina. Okra gumbo, red rice, and blackened chargrilled chicken breast

 

TravelRob enjoyed pecan crusted whiting, with coleslaw, after this tasty soup....

Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.

Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina. Pecan Fried Whiting and coleslaw

 

Pheymont enjoyed the brown-sugar glazed ham, mac and cheese, and green beans.

Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.Ham, Mac and cheese, green beans

Jestine's is known for it's excellent pastries and we were hoping they would have some buttermilk pie left so that we could satiate TravelRob's craving for it, but no such luck.   We discussed getting some of their Coca-Cola cake (which Jestine's is famous for), but everyone was too full, so we waddled out of the restaurant for a pleasant fall evening stroll. 

 

A highly recommended restaurant if you're interested in home-style low-country Southern cuisine.  Be sure you stop by when in Charleston.

Attachments

Images (10)
  • Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.  Okra gumbo, red rice, and blackened chargrilled chicken breast
  • Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Jestine's.  Outside awning
  • Decor at Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Display at Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.  Pickles served at every table.
  • Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.  Fried Okra and shrimp
  • Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina. Pecan Fried Whiting and coleslaw
  • Jestine's Restaurant, Charleston, South Carolina.Ham, Mac and cheese, green beans

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

Add Comment

Comments (1)

Newest · Oldest · Popular
Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×